Sewage treatment



April 27, 1937- E. B. MALLORY 2,078,260

SEWAGE TREATMENT Filed Feb. 18, 1936 INVENTOR Edward flMallwy 21 i an? 1- W ATTO RNEYS PatcntedApr. 27, 1937 Q UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,078,260 SEWAGE TREATMENT Edward B. Mallory, Tenafly, N. J., assignor to Lancaster Iron Works, Inc., Lancaster, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application February 1a, 1936, Serial No. 64,450 4 Claims. (Cl. 210-6) This invention relates to the treatment of sewsiphon construction for apparatus of the above age and in its preferred forms the invention is indicated character. particularly adapted to therequirements of in- It has also been frequently customary in the dlvidual homes, small groups of homes, road art to construct liquefying tanks and/or siphon houses, rural schools and other relatively small chambers of concrete, which necessitated the erec- 5 installations. tion of suitable forms and the employment of The practice of treating sewage wastes in small specialized labor for such erection and the addihomes, by using a liquefying or septic tank, is tlonal cost of fittings, generally cast iron, to serve old in the art and its general principles are wellthe various well-known purposes. On the other 10 known. For many years septic or liquefying hand, this invention in its preferred form is 10 tanks have been used for private home and small readily adaptable to steel construction, with cominstitution sewage disposal, in which the sewage plete and economical factory assembly in a peris treated by being delivered to. an enclosed chammanent form. a ber relatively free from oxygen and in which u Further and morespecific objects; features and liquefaction and the activity of anaerobic bacteria advantages of the invention will more clearly apl5 digest and liquefy a substantial portion of the pear from the detailed description given below suspended solids in the raw sewage. It has also taken in connection with the accompanying been customary in the employment of this system drawing which disclose by way of example one of sewage treatment to include a separate or soembodiment of apparatus which may be used in called siphon chamber for the purpose of providthe practice of the invention. The invention con- 20 ing intermittent discharge. of the liquefied porsists in such novel features and combinations as tions of the sewage to underground tile drain or may be shown and described in connection with leaching areas to prevent a slow and continuous the equipment herein disclosed as an illustrative drainage of such liquid into the tile field, with example. In the drawing, Fig. 1 comprises aver-' the consequent concentration of such liquids at tical central sectional view of a complete appara- .25 restricted portions of the tile fleld,"which would tus unit involving my invention, and Fig. 2 is a thereby be maintained in a moist'and soggy contop .view of the apparatus of Fig. 1. ditlon and give rise to odors and other objec- Referring to Fig. 1, a vertical cylindrical steel tionable features. In the past such siphon chamtank is indicated at I with an inlet opening 2 bers have been separate, but associated with the and an outlet opening 3. Within this tank I 30 liquefying chamber by means of pipe connections, have illustrated one form of siphon chamber 4 and accordingly have involved expensive conpreferablyformed of sheet steel fabricated in construction costs and in many instances, where nection with the manufacture of the tank assemseparate tanks have been used, natural settlebly as a permanent part of the unitary assembly.

ment of the apparatus in the ground has caused An automatic discharge siphon 5 is also shown 35 opening of joints in the connecting pipe and other associated with the siphon chamber and may difliculties prejudical to the continued satisfacconsist of a central or inner tube 6 open at its top tory performance of the equipment. for-the purpose ofventing, an intermediate tube One of the objects of this invention is to provide I closed at its bottom to provide a t ap, and an equipment of greatly improved durability for exterior concentrically arranged tube 8 closed at 40 efliciently employing the action of anaerobic bacits p to form the equivalent of h bell of teria and septicization for the purpose above T a typical siphonreferred to, and. at the same time provide a novel chamber as shown be Provided with and more practicable form of apparatus which a cover 9 the of smtable size shape may be installed at lower costs. but preferably so located and of such size that 45 One important feature of. this invention is the access may had to the fi chamber 4 as consolidation in a single tank structure of the F f i l perm; 2 withdrawal functionsof a liquefying or septic tank, a siphon o accum 8 so W en sue comes neces' sary. It will be evident that tanks of this chamber and an automatlc dlscharge slphon to character of relatively large diameter may be aperiodically deliver the accumulated liquids in provided with reinforcing members as at m the siphon chamber to a subsurface tile field or suitably arranged to assist in Supporting the other places of ultimate disposal of such liquids. weight of the superimposed earthJcovering the Further features of the invention include the tank after installation, and any additional loads provision of an economical and reliable automatic on thesurface of the ground such as motor cars or wagons in the event that the tank is located under a driveway or the like.

Inlet opening 2 preferably consists of a collar into which the spigot end of a conventional sewage pipe of either cast iron or tile construction may be inserted and cemented or leaded into tight engagement to prevent leakage of the sewage at this point. Outlet 3 is of similar form and construction and adapted to receive the spigot end of a tile or cast iron soil line for the purpose of conducting the liquefied portions of the sewage from the tank to the tile field.

Fig. 2, which is a top view of the preferred form of the apparatus, illustrates more clearly the general arrangement and disposition of the siphon chamber 4, its'inlet tube l3 and the con.-. centric siphon ducts 8, 1, and 8. The siphon chamber inlet tube It is preferably located at a point substantially diametrically opposite the inlet port 2 to avoid direct passage of raw untreated sewage from the inlet port to the siphon chamber through port I! and duct it. The automatic siphon l5 and the outlet port 3 are also preferably located diametrically opposite from the inlet port 2 to facilitate construction and installation of the whole assembly in a straight line from the soil line exit from the building to the area selected for the tile field, thus avoiding undesirable use of elbows or bends in either the inlet or the outlet soil lines.

It will be evident from the description and drawing that the entire assembly of the main tank and all associated parts or portions may be of a welded steel construction with no bolted, hinged or other movable joints, thus providing a construction of great strength and durability at low cost. It will be further evident that all parts of the assembly may be welded to and the weight thereof carried by the walls of the main tank. Furthermore, the division wall for forming the siphon chamber 4 may comprise a flat steel plate as shown, and all of the several ducts 6, I, 8, and I3 may comprise semi-cylindrical sheet steel members of simple and inexpensive construction which may be easily welded in place as shown.

In operation, sewage containing suspended solids and other digestiblematter enters through the inlet port 2 into liquefying chamber ii, in which the process of liquefaction and digestion of the sewage solids is continuously maintained by the action of anaerobic bacteria normally indigenous in the sewage solids. The absence of appreciable quantitiesof oxygen in this chamber encourages the propagation and multiplication of anaerobic organisms, building up substantial numbers thereof in adequate proportion to the amount of sewage normally delivered to the tank to provide the most expeditious digestion and liquefaction of the sewage solids entering the tank. In the process of treatment, settleable suspended solids entering in the tank through port 2 settle to the bottom of the tank and are immediately atacked by the anaerobic organisms and the processof liquefaction initiated. It is well-known that during this process of digestion and liquefaction, gases are evolved which become entrained in the solids, rendering them bouyant, and causing them to float slowly upward through the body of liquid in the tank to the surface. Many of these fioated'particles, particularly those of cellulose origin or structure, digest much more slowly than solids of protein or carbohydrate origin and character, resulting in the formation of a scum at the surface of the liquid contents of the tank, in which the action of selective groups of bacteria and protozoa and major organisms is carried on. Through the process of ingestion and digestion highly comminuted and substantially digested solids result. These solids have a higher specific gravity and accordingly return by settlement to the bottom of the tank where continued comminution and disintegration and liquefaction occur through the action of other selective groups of anaerobic organisms. Due to the presence of quantities of oxygen in dissolved form in the sewage entering the tank and the difference in the density between oxygenated water and inert water, those molecules of oxygen which do not immediately enter into chemical reaction and become converted into carbondioxide and other products of oiddation and reduction, rise to the surface and pass into the interstices of the scum layer, causing a tendency to lncrustation or to the formation of a semi-rigid porous crust, superimposed over the more viscous portions of the scum layer. This crust may be of more or less permanent character and persists without material disintegration for a period oi years, serving however the purpose of supporting the anaerobic conditions in the main liquid body of the tank.

As the liquid portions of the sewage entering the tank and the products of liquefaction resulting from the anaerobic organism activities, accumulate in the central zone of the tank between the scum layer at the top and the sludge blanket or settled solids layer at the bottom, they pass by normal flow through opening i2 and upwardly through duct it into siphon chamber 4. As siphon chamber 4 becomes filled to a predetermined level, the automatic siphon operates to discharge the contents of the siphon chamber down to the level of the open-end of outer siphon tube 8, this liquid content of the siphon chamber passing out through outlet port 3 into a conventional tile field, or in some instances, to the receiving water of the region.

If desired, the bottom wall of the siphon chamber 4 may be inclined upwardly toward the center of tank I to facilitate the progress of solids in their travel from the lower part of tank i toward the surface scum area. However. except possibly in larger installations, the circulation of the liquid will prevent any excess ac- I cumulations of; solids-"beneath the bottom wall of the siphon chamber-with the construction as shown in the drawing.

It will be evident that small quantities of substantially digested solids will be entrained in the central zone of liquid and pass into the siphon chamber in the manner described. These solids will similarly be precipitated to the bottom of the siphon chamber or rise to the surface, depending upon the state of their digestion. Those particles of solids which settle on the bottom of the siphon chamber will continue to digest through the action of selective organisms and further liquefaction will occur, with the result that the liquid passing .out of outlet port 8 in a well designed and properly proportioned apparatus'of this character, will have a relatively low suspended solids content.

While the arrangement and ventilation of the tile field is a part of the complete system of disposal in its preferred form, I do not claim any novelty or invention with regard thereto. In my preferred application of this system however, it is desirable to provide a means of venting the tile field to the atmosphere with one or more suitably arranged ducts or pipes, preferably arao'raceo ation are in suitable condition to be further distil integrated and rendered innocuous by action of aerobic bacteria and the process of oxidation and reduction. It will be evident, therefore, that a simple and relatively complete system of sewage purification may be provided by the use of this invention, in which the apparatus is entirely self-contained and in which intermittent action of desirable parts of the cycle are provided without the use of any movable dissociated or wearing parts.

Certain portions of the suspended solids occurring in normal sewage and delivered to the tank in the usual practice of this invention reach a final degree of digestion and comminution with the remainder of a residue which settles and collects in the bottom of liquefying chamber Ii. After a number of years of operation this collection of sediment may accumulate to excessive proportions and it is conventional practice to open the top of the tank and by means of a suotion hose and pump, or other means, remove a substantial portion of this sediment, leaving however a sufiicient quantity of sediment containing anaerobic organisms to insure the active and suitable digestion of additional quantities of sewage delivered to the tank. In like manner, a small amount of sedimentation may occur in siphon chamber 4 and for the purpose of removing the sediment in either of the chambers mentioned, I preferably provide a covered opening through which access may be had to either chamber for the purpose of removing such sediment.

With certain classes of sewage, particularly those having a relatively high cellulose content, such as arising from kitchen sink wastes in the warm seasons! of the year when relatively great quantities of raw vegetable matter is washed into the discharge line, relatively great quantities of gas will be developed in the liquefying or digesting chamber II, which will rise to the surface of the liquid andaiter penetratl g the sg um layer will accumulate in the top of t e tank above the scum layer. Unless suitable means are provided it would be possible, under extreme conditions, to create pressures which might dislodge the cover and permit the covering earth to enter the tank or force liquid out of the tank to the tile field prematurely. To relieve this pressure the open upper end of inner concentric tube 6 of siphon 5 serves as a gas outlet and permits the gas so "accumulated" to pass out into the underground tile line and be dissipated through the ground area or through such venting means as may be provided in the tile field.

A particular advantage in this form of construction is represented by the convenience and economy of installing this tank at the point of use. It will be evident that a simple circular excavation at some point in the line of soil pipe traverse, is the sole requirement and that functions of the plumber who normally installs the soil line within and without the building are sufiicient to complete the installation of this tank, avoiding the necessity of employing carpenters to erect forms and concrete artisans to cast concrete tanks and other expensive elements of conventional practice. It will also be evident that the practice of providing a siphon chamber as a separate tank unit connected with the main liquefying tank through a pipe line is avoided. thereby avoiding the possibility of settlement of either of the tanks and avoiding openings in the connecting line, which would result, permitting leakage and unsatisfactorysanitary conditions.

It will be further evident that this unit is substantially sealed and self-contained and therefore provides a generally improved sanitary device for the purposes stated.

While the invention has been described with respect to a certain particular preferred example which gives satisfactory results, it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and it is intended therefore in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications.

' What is. claimedias new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a sheet metal tank. a

sheet metal members spaced apart, one within another, said members having their longitudinal edges fixed to a wall-of the tank to provide a plurality of conduit cavities, one within another and between said members respectively and said wall, one of said cavities being arranged to pro vide an up-fiow intake for the siphon, a second of said cavities being arranged to provide for the down-flow of liquid from the top of said intake cavity, and a third of said cavities forming an up -flow outlet cavity communicating with the lower end of said down-flow cavity and with siphon comprising a plurality of channel-shaped the exterior of the tank, the upper end of said third cavity being open and extending above the liquid level in the tank to provide a vent from the space above the liquid, to the outlet.

2. Apparatus for sewage treatment comprising a closed sheet metal septic tank, a partition in said tank for forming a siphon chamber within the tank walls as a permanent part of a unitary assembly therewith, a wall portion of said tank also comprising one of the side walls of said chamber, means for conducting liquid from said tankat a point intermediate its upper and lower portions, into the upper part of said siphon chamber, a siphon within the tank and mounted on said wall portion, and forming a partof the permanent unitary assembly of the apparatus for drawing oil liquid from the siphon chamber at intervals when the latter becomes filled to a predetermined level, an outlet through said wall portion, a trap between said siphon and said outlet, and a vent conduit extending from the space above the normal liquid level in the tank to said outlet.

3. In combination with a generally cylindrical sheet metal tank, a siphon comprising a plurality of channel-shaped sheet metal members spaced apart, one within another, said members having their longitudinal edges fixed to an inside wall of the tank to provide a plurality of conduit cavities, one within another and between said members respectively and said wall, one of said cavities being arranged to provide an up-flow intake for the siphon, a second of said cavities being arranged to provide for the down-flow of liquid from the top of said intake cavity, a third of said cavities forming an u-p-fiow outlet cavity communicating with the lower end of said downflow cavity, the lower portions of said second and third cavities forming a trap following the 10 intermediate its upper and lower portions, into the upper part of said chamber.

4. Apparatus for sewage treatment comprising a closed sheet metal septic tank of substantially symmetrical shape externally, a partition in said 15 tank for forming a siphon chamber within the tank walls as a permanent part of a unitary assembly therewith, a wall portion of said tank also comprising one of the side walls of said chamber, means within the tank for conducting liquid from said tank at a point intermediate its upper and lower portions, into the upper part of said siphon chamber, a siphon within the tank and mounted on said wall portion, and forming a part of the permanent unitary assembly of the apparatus for drawing off liquid from the siphon chamber at intervals when the latter becomes filled to a predetermined level, an outlet through said wall portion, and a trap mounted on the inside of said wall portion between said siphon and said outlet.

EDWARD B. mmomr. 

